Evaluating the impact of a community-based prostate cancer screening program.

Abstract

324 Background: One out of eight men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Early detection, often by routine screening, allows for more options for treatment and an increased chance of survival. Barriers to screening exist and may contribute to prostate cancer disparities, particularly among Black males and those who lack regular access to health care. Community based screening programs may be an effective way to overcome barriers to prostate cancer screening. Methods: An urban, NCI-designated cancer center collaborated with community partners and a national prostate cancer advocacy organization to provide free screening to males in our catchment area. Community partners identified the location of the screening and promoted the event. Participants completed a survey about their personal and family history of prostate cancer. A mobile screening team within the cancer center conducted the screenings, consisting of prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests. All participants received a letter with their PSA test results; males with an abnormal result (> 3 ng/mL) also received a phone call. Survey data was analyzed with descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses (ANOVA). Results: Two hundred and eighty-nine (n=289) males were screened at a community screening event. The mean age of males screened was 57.3 (SD=11.2) and the majority identified as Black (N=253, 84.9%). The mean PSA test value was 1.82 (SD= 2.70); 14% of males had an abnormal PSA test result. Black males had the highest PSA values of among all men who were screened. Conclusions: Disparities in prostate cancer, particularly among Black males, warrant interventions like community-based prostate screening events that reduce barriers of cost and access, bringing screening to those who would most benefit. Mean PSA test results by patient characteristics. N Mean PSA Level Sum of Squares, DF Between Groups Within Groups F p Full Sample 298 1.82 Race/Ethnicity 3; 19.62 271; 1876.18 0.94 0.42 Black 246 1.85 Hispanic 18 0.80 White 9 1.48 Other 2 1.59 PSA in the last 3 years, # tests 3; 19.43 260; 1861.65 0.91 0.44 0 121 1.62 1-3 133 1.82 4-6 6 3.40 7+ 4 2.08 Family history of PCa, # of relatives 2; 54.09 287; 2051.72 3.78 0.024* 0 215 1.78 1 63 1.50 2+ 12 3.84 Family history of PCa genetic risk, # of relatives 2; 11.75 287; 2094.06 0.81 0.45 0 229 1.71 1 52 2.24 2+ 10 1.96 Smoking status 4; 31.74 256; 1815.53 1.12 0.35 Current 26 2.19 Former, quit within 10 years 8 0.93 Former, quit within 11-19 years 8 1.46 Former, quit more than 20 years ago 20 2.75 Never 199 1.68 Diet, fat intake 2; 9.49 272; 1888.09 0.68 0.51 Low 60 1.65 Medium 186 1.71 High 29 2.29 Chemical Exposure 1; 2.80 257; 1824.87 0.39 0.53 Not exposed 210 1.72 Exposed 49 1.97 *Indicates significance (p <0.05).